Free lawn tips emailsPreparation & Laying
Laying your new turf
Identification
- Is your soil prepared for new turf?
- Do you have the correct amount of turf ordered?
- Do you have the tools needed for laying turf?
- Do you know how to arrange the new turf?
- Do you know how to care for the new turf?
Laying your own turf can be both fun and very satisfying.
General description
Rolawn turf comes in neat, consistent rolls and is ready to lay. It is important that you do not delay in unrolling the turf. Turf should be rolled out immediately but certainly within 24 hours (maximum) in the autumn/winter and 12 hours (maximum) in the spring/summer. To ensure that you are ready for the new turf, consult Rolawn Turf Fact: Preparing for your new Rolawn turf.
When your Rolawn turf is delivered you may notice that it has been grown on a bed on netting. The netting will not harm your turf. The turf has been grown in this way to ensure that we can harvest continuously throughout the year.
The following information will get you ready to lay your new turf when it arrives:
Tools needed for laying turf
Only a few tools are actually needed: a wheelbarrow to carry the turf, a rake and a spade. In addition, you should have a garden hose or watering can (small areas only) for watering.
Getting Started
Start by carrying the turf to the furthest point from the delivery area. By doing this, when you get tired you will be carrying the turf rolls the shortest distance. Try to unroll the turf along the longest border and always unroll turf across a slope, not down it.
Each row of turf pieces should be offset by 300mm, brickwork style. Prior to rolling out the turf, lightly water the soil. Always place planks on newly laid turf for walking along and working from.
Knitting the turf together
It is important that you follow these few rules:
- Start laying along a straight side in a row butt jointing the ends tightly together.
- Do not stretch the turf, always push the turf into a joint. Avoid gaps, but if they do occur fill them in with a light soil/sand mixture (Rolawn Blended Loam™ is ideal for this) and gently tap down.
- Ensure complete contact between the soil and the underside of the turf and if necessary use a flat board or a pole to lightly firm down the turf. Never use a roller on freshly laid turf.
- Trim the ends of the turf with a spade to fit around trees, paths and so on.
- If the outer edges of the new turf are exposed, pile a bit of soil on them to prevent drying from the sun.
Care immediately after unrolling the turf
The most important time for establishing your new turf is the first 3-4 weeks after laying. Follow these simple steps to ensure your turf grows properly:
Watering
- Immediately after laying, start watering. Ensure that the new lawn is never short of water. Check under corners of the turf to confirm that water has thoroughly percolated through to the underlying soil. Water repeatedly for at least two weeks and certainly until the turf is well established. Once established, weekly watering during dry periods should be adequate.
- Walk on and press down those edges in the turf that are not well seated.
- Mow the lawn as soon as it grows long enough.
